Non-tunneled central catheter—It is inserted in a large vein in the neck or leg; the tube end is outside of the skin.

Tunneled central catheter—It is inserted in the neck vein and tunneled under the skin. The end of the catheter is sticking out from under the skin, usually below the collarbone.

Port catheter—It is inserted in a shoulder or neck vein. The port is under the skin, and the catheter is tunneled into the central vein. The port is accessed by putting a needle through the skin directly into the port.

Veins in the Arm

A peripherally inserted central catheter is threaded through a vein in the arm.

Prior to Procedure

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.

If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor before the procedure.

Anesthesia

You will be given a local anesthetic at the insertion area. Depending on where your central catheter is placed, you may receive a sedative through an IV.

Description of the Procedure

This procedure may be done while you are in the hospital as part of your treatment or in an outpatient setting. If you are already in the hospital for another reason, this procedure is unlikely to extend your stay.

Having a catheter inserted increases your risk of a bloodstream infection. The hospital staff will begin the procedure by following steps to reduce this risk.

The procedure may differ depending on the type of catheter and the insertion site. In general, the staff will:

Before inserting the catheter, cut it to the correct length. Flush the catheter with salt water.

Insert the catheter using the guide wire. Then, remove the wire.

Use sutures or tape to secure the catheter line. Place caps on the end of the catheter.

Cover the insertion site with a bandage. Write the date of the insertion on or near the bandage.

If you have a port inserted, a small pocket for the port will be created under your skin. The incision will be closed over the pocket, usually with dissolving sutures.

Immediately After Procedure

You will be checked for bleeding, drainage, and bruising at the insertion site.

How Long Will It Take?

30-45 minutes

How Much Will It Hurt?

During the procedure, you will not feel any pain because of the anesthetic. There may be mild discomfort at the insertion site after the procedure.

Average Hospital Stay

This procedure is most commonly done in a hospital setting because it is needed for your treatment. The length of stay will depend on the reason you need the central catheter. If you are an outpatient receiving treatment through your central catheter, you may be sent home the same day as the procedure.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

After the procedure, the staff may provide the following care to help you recover:

Do an x-ray to make sure your catheter is in the correct position.

Continue to check the insertion site for bleeding.

Give you medications, fluids, or nutrition through the catheter.

Flush catheter ports to prevent blood clots.

Take steps to reduce your risk of infection.

There are also steps that you can take to reduce your risk of infection:

Ask the staff to take every precaution to prevent an infection.

Tell the staff right away if the bandage needs to be changed or if the site is red or sore.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.